Thor in person

What: Thor: Treasures of Asgard, an exhibit and character greeting area for Thor

Where: Disneyland, inside Tomorrowland's Innoventions building

When: Friday through Jan. 6. Hours vary, but it will usually be open for about six hours daily during the daytime. Innoventions usually opens an hour or two after Disneyland opens

Cost: Free with park admission, $92 for adults

Source: Disneyland

When the helmeted and armored Thor greets visitors, starting Friday, he will be helping push forward a new direction for Disney and its theme parks – costumed Marvel characters.

Since 2009, when Marvel was absorbed by Disney, company officials have suggested that a comic-book character could pop up at a Disney park.

Finally, with a Thor attraction that allows guests to interact with the legend, that will occur at Disneyland.

Thor’s lair is tucked inside the Innoventions building next to an Iron Man exhibit – the park’s first Marvel addition that was meant to be a summer-only feature but is so popular that Disney has let it stay indefinitely. The temporary Thor exhibit is set to run through the holiday season, which ends Jan. 6.

Guests will find the queue of Thor: Treasures of Asgard is lined with swords, shields and other props from movies featuring the character. Visitors will be led into a museumlike room with glass-covered cases with more props.

During a media preview, Disney storytellers insisted that the items are actual artifacts lent from Asgard, Thor’s home. “Asgardians are very generous in nature,” explained Jennifer Magill, the exhibit’s producer.

A Disney cast member will tell guests that Dr. Jane Foster, the character played by Natalie Portman in 2011’s “Thor” and its upcoming sequel, discovered the “Bifrost” in this very spot. The Bifrost is a portal that allows travel between Earth and Asgard.

Light effects will flicker and sounds boom before doors open to Thor’s golden, round chamber. He will wield a hammer and wear a winged helmet over his blond hair flowing over a red cape.

“I am Thor of Asgard,” the actor will proclaim.

At the media preview, he invited reporters and bloggers to try to lift his hammer and then make superhero poses.

About 30 people fit at a time in the room; their stays are expected to vary.

Not coincidentally, the sequel “Thor: The Dark World” will hit theaters on Nov. 8. Thor is played by Chris Hemsworth.

Although Captain America recently began meeting tourists aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship, Magill said she is not aware of any immediate plans for more Marvel characters to show up at Disneyland.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.